Collapsible display bin



July 11, 1967 R. H. TAUB 3,330,405

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY BIN Filed Sept. 21, 1964 INVENTOR. RONALD H. TAUB United States Patent This invention relates to an improved collapsible bin or display container of the type used in drug stores and in markets for displaying articles for sale, or specials. More particularly, the invention is directed to a unitary container comprising an opaque supporting base and an integrally joined upwardly extending transparent display bin portion. Also included within the scope of this invention are methods for constructing and assembling the improved display container of the invention.

The prior art dump pins or display bins which find utility in the applications to which the present invention is directed have one or more objectionable features which limit and impair their usefulness and deter their widespread acceptance. In some instances these containers present a generally unattractive appearance. In other instances the items carried in the bins are not readily ob servable to the prospective purchaser. Other prior art bin structures are cumbersome or unwieldy and poorly adapted for shipment. Still others are of relatively costly construction. Those economical to produce have lacked the requisite strength demanded by the ultimate application. It is the aim of the present invention to obviate these and other shortcomings of prior art devices.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a display container or bin in which the articles carried are readily visible from all directions to provide improved sales appeal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display bin having an opaque supporting base and a completely transparent display chamber.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a display bin which, while sturdy and stable in use, is readily collapsible for shipment or storage.

A related object of the invention is to provide a display bin which may be quickly and readily transformed from a substantially flat configuration to a self-supporting stand and container, without any need for tools, complex manipulative procedures, or auxiliary aids. Additional objects and aims of the invention include the following:

To provide a display bin having an upper transparent plastic sheet or shell which is self-supporting and has the necessary mechanical rigidity and strength to function as a container for articles to be displayed;

to provide a display bin or container which has a collapsible or foldable internal frame and floor structure permitting the bin to be collapsed for shipment or storage;

to provide a display bin having a pair of vertically spaced transverse walls imparting a high degree of stability to the overall structure;

to provide a display bin or container in which an upper shell or sleeve of transparent plastic material is positioned about and supported upon a base in a manner to preclude fracture of the plastic sleeve in response to lateral bin load forces applied thereto against the inside surfaces thereof;

to provide a display bin having an internal supporting frame and floor structure fabricated of a single piece of structural material;

to provide a display bin having an opaque lower or base portion ideally suited as a message carrying area and having an upper transparent sleeve portion providing an unimpaired visual display;

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to provide a composite cylindrical display bin or container having an opaque cardboard base and a transparent plastic sleeve positioned therearound and extending upwardly therefrom;

to provide a readily fabricated low cost display blIl having increased strength and rigidity; and

to provide an improved method of fabricating the display bin of the invention.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, with parts cut away, illustrating the display bin of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an end view showing the display bin of the invention in its collapsed position;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded View, with parts cut away, showing the various structural components of the display bin;

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of the blank from which the combination floor and reinforcing frame of the bin .are formed.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown in FIGURE 1, for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment of the display 'bin of the invention. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the bin 10 illustrated, comprises, as best shown in FIGURE 5, an opaque tubular base 12, and a transparent plastic sleeve 14 which is fastened to the base 12 at an upper marginal edge or rim 16 thereof and extends upwardly therefrom. Positioned within the base 12 and supported on the inner wall surface 18 thereof is an internal frame and floor assembly 20 serving as a bin reinforcement and shape retaining means and including a platform or floor 22 upon which articles to be displayed are supported Within the bin, In the preferred embodiment of the bin depicted, the internal frame and floor assembly 20 comprises a one-piece panel or sheet 24 which is bilaterally symmetrical about a center fold line 26 which divides or separates the two halves of the panel each of which is oblate oval in shape. Each half 28 and 28a of the sheet 24 is in turn divided into three principal portions by means of two vertically spaced horizontal fold lines 32 and 34 and 32a and 34a which extend laterally across each of the half-panels 28 and 28a and are perpendicular to the center fold line 26.

As seen most clearly in FIGURE 6, each half panel 28 and 28a is an oblate oval which includes a central rectangular panel 36 and 36a connected at upper and lower peripheral edges to a pair of semicircular pivotal end panels 38 and 40 (and 38a and 40a). A pair of longitudinally extending tabs or flaps 42 and 44 (and 42a and 44a) are integrally joined to each half panel 28 and 28a at opposed upper and lower extremities thereof to provide means for attachment of the folded panel 24 or reinforcement frame 20 to the inner wall surface 18 of the base 12, in a manner which will become evident as the invention is more fully described.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, each of the rectangular panels 36 and 36a is provided with a generally U-shaped cut-out and 50a the arms of the cut-out extending downwardly into the panels from the horizontal fold lines 32 and 32a which separate the rectangular panels 36 and 36a from the semi-circular end panels. The construction described provides integral tabs or ears and 60a formed at a median line of the panels 36 and 36a and terminating at the transverse horizontal fold line 32 and 32a. As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the ears 60 and 60a formed of the central rectangular panel 36 have their free ends flush with the fold lines 32 and 32a. The adjacent semicircular panels 38 and 38a are provided with cutouts 62 and 62a to facilitate gripping of the ears 60 and 60a, in a manner to be described below.

Another important feature of the embodiment of the invention depicted is that each of the lower semicircular end panels 40 and 40a is provided with generally U-shaped cutouts or slits 66 and 66a, the arms of the U terminating at the horizontal fold lines 34 and 34a which separate the end panels 40 and 40a from the rectangular panel 36 and 36a. In the preferred practice of the invention, the horizontal fold line 34 and 34a do not extend across the U-shaped slots and the slots define downwardly extending tabs 68 and 68a which are integral extensions of the rectangular panels 36 and 36a.

As illustrated schematically in FIGURES 3 and 5, upon assembly of the bin the upper end panels 38 and 38a become the floor or platform 22 supporting the items on display and the lower end panels 40 and 40a comprise a second and invisible bottom or false floor 70 which serves to stabilize the overall structure. The two floors or platforms are interconnected by a double walled panel 72 consisting of the superimposed rectangular panels '36 and 36a which are permanently stapled, glued, or

otherwise joined. Moreover, in the assembled state of the bin, the bottom edges of the lower tabs or cars 68 and 68a extend below the door 70 of the frame and floor assembly and are substantially flush with the bottom of the base 12 so that the projecting tabs or ears rest on the same understructure on which the base is ultimately positioned, to provide support for the frame and floor assembly. At the same time, the upper edges of the upper ears or tabs 60 and 60a are substantially flush with the surface of the bin floor 22 but are readily graspable so that they may be gripped and pulled upwardly to collapse or fold the bin.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that initial assembly of the collapsible bin of the invention from it component parts is a single procedure. The base i 12, which is preferably of corrugated board, is shaped from a rectangular sheet or blank to form a cylinder, the overlapping peripheral edges being stitched, fastened by means of adhesive, staples 80 or by any equivalent bonding means. The plastic sleeve 14, consisting of a sheet plastic formed into a cylinder, is positioned on the outside of the upper rim 16 of the base 12. Any preferred means may be used for attaching the sleeve to the base, but in the illustrative example staples 80 are used. Adhesives or bonding cements are equally suitable. The overlapping edges 84 of the plastic sleeve may also be fastened by any preferred means, the particular means illustrated comprising staples 80. g

The combination reinforcement frame and floor structure 20 is assembled by folding the single sheet panel 24 along the center fold line 26 so that one of the two principal panels 28 is superimposed over the other panel 280. The two panels are then fastened together in that area between the horizontal fold lines 32 and 32a and 34 and 34a so that the central rectangular panels 36 and 36a comprise a unitary double wall member 72. The upper and lower semicircular end panels 38 and 38a and 40 and 40a are folded along respective horizontal fold lines, 32, 32a, 34, 3411, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, to form a spool 90 having upper and lower surfaces defining the floor 22 and the lower reinforcing base or floor 70 of the final bin structure. 7

The tabs 42 and 42a and 44 and 44a at diametrically opposite ends of the floors 22 and 70 are bent downwardly in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5. Finally, the spool 90 which constitutes the combination internal frame and floor structure 20 is inserted coaxially into the cylindrical base 12 and the tabs 42, 42a, 44 and 44a are 4 fastened to the inside wall surface of the base 12 through the use of adhesives or similar means.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the plastic sleeve 14 is positioned circumferentially around and outside of the rim 16 of the supporting base 12. Unexpectedly, this particular arrangement is markedly superior to the alternative of positioning the plastic sleeve 14 on the inside of the rim 16. It has been found that in the latter position, there is a marked tendency for the upper terminal edge of the rim 16 of the base 12 to act as a fulcrum against which the plastic sleeve is forced or urged in use. Bending or flexure of the plastic, over the edge of the rim 16 is conducive to early mechanical failure of the assembly. In addition, it has been found that positioning of the plastic sleeve outside of the base 12 also facilitates obtaining a smoother arrangement of the plastic sheet. Still another important advantage of theparticular arrangement described and claimed is that upon collapsing or folding the bin laterally or radially, the presence of the paperboard rim inwardly of the plastic sleeve limits the radius of curvature of the plastic and obviates the impressing of a sharp fold in the plastic, thus preventing fracture of the plastic sleeve along the fold line.

For the purpose of illustrative disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the collapsible display bin of the invention has been described with reference to a preferred geometric shape or embodiment which is generally cylindrical. It is obvious, however, that the inventive concept and the principles of the invention are applicable as well to structures having other cross-sectional shapes. For example, it is contemplated that the display bin rnay be rectangular in cross-sectionor that its cross-section may define other polygons such as hexagons and octagons. With the teachings of the subject invention at hand, those skilled in the art will be able to select any preferred shape and to adapt the principles of this inventionto that particular shape, without the exercise of the inventive faculty.

In each case, whatever the particular configuration of the floor of the container and the contiguous surrounding wall structure, the basic structurewill be unchanged. It will be possible in all cases to fold or collapse the bin by lifting (or depressing) the floor of the container to cause the floor to fold along its fold lineand to bring the diametrically opposite portions of the surrounding walls to approach each other as the display bin is flattened.

While disclosures of preferred embodiments of display bin and of preferred methods for assembling and fabricating the bin of the invention have been provided, it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations thereof may be made without departingfrom underlying principles of the invention. It is, therefore, desired by the following claims to include within the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of this invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a transversely collapsible cylindrical bin having an upstanding lower tubular opaque base portion and an upper self-supporting transparent plastic sleeve extending upwardly of said base and there- 7 around and joined to said base to define a unitary structure, a folding bin-reinforcement and frame and floor assembly disposed internally of said base portion of said bin, said assembly comprising:

a one-piece sheet substantially bilaterally symmetrical about a vertical fold line separating two elongated oblate oval halves of said sheetjoined along a pair of straight longitudinal sides of said halves of said sheet,

each half of said sheet being divided by a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal fold lines to define upper and lower pivotal semi-circular end panels and an integrally joined substantially rectangular panel extending therebetween,

said one-piece sheet adapted for folding along said vertical fold line to superimpose and register said rectangular panels upon one another to form a vertical double wall extending across a diameter of said cylindrical bin,

said upper and lower semi-circular end panels adapted to fold along said upper and lower horizontal fold lines to extend outwardly and substantially transversely of said double wall in substantially parallel horizontally disposed planes,

a pair of longitudinally extending tabs integrally joined to each said end panels at opposed upper and lower extremities thereof and extending outwardly therefrom,

said tabs adapted for attachment to adjacent inner wall surfaces of said base portion of said cylindrical bin to support said bin reinforcement frame and floor assembly within said cylindrical bin.

2. A collapsible bin as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising grips for grasping and lifting said bin reinforcement frame and floor assembly to collapse said bin,

said grips being integrally formed in said one-piece sheet, and laterally spaced at corresponding positions of upper portions of each said rectangular panels,

said grips being free at upper ends thereof and extending below respective upper horizontal fold lines of each said rectangular panel.

3. A collapsible bin as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising vertical legs for supporting said lower semicircular end panels during bin use, said legs being formed in said sheet and comprising integral extensions of said rectangular panels at said lower horizontal fold lines proximate median points thereof.

4. The bin as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said sheet has formed therein a pair of inverted U-shaped slots at corresponding positions of said rectangular panels at upper portions thereof to define upwardly extending tabs for gripping and lifting said frame and floor assembly to collapse said bin, said tabs having free ends substantially flush with said upper fold lines and adjacent midpoints thereof, and wherein said sheet has formed therein a pair of U-shaped slots extending downwardly from said lower fold lines adjacent median points thereof to define support legs for said bin reinforcement frame and floor assembly when said bin is set up for use.

5. In combination with a collapsible display container comprising an upstanding lower tubular opaque base portion and an upper self-supporting transparent plastic sleeve extending upwardly of and fastened to said base and having a circumambient lower end overlying and contacting an upper edge of said base, a collapsible internal reinforcing member positioned coaxially within said container and comprising:

a substantially rectangular vertical wall member having a double thickness of wall forming material,

a laterally extending top wall divided into two mirror image panels by a center fold line extending along and registering with a top terminal edge of said vertical wall member;

a bottom wall substantially paralleling said top wall and spaced therebelow and fastened along a center fold line to a bottom terminal edge of said vertical wall member;

tab means connected to each said top wall and said bottom wall at corresponding diametrically opposite positions at peripheral edges thereof,

said tab means being joined to respective top and bottom walls along a fold line paralleling said center fold lines of said top and bottom walls,

said tab means being adapted for attachment to an adjacent inner wall surface of said container;

each said top and bottom walls have a peripheral contour corresponding to a cross-section taken transversely through said container;

whereby said reinforcing member, in uncollapsed functional position urges vertical walls of said container 5 outwardly at two vertically spaced horizontal planes.

6. A collapsible display container comprising: coaxial, overlapping and joined upper and lower vertically extending wall members collapsible along lengthwise fold lines,

said lower Wall member comprising an opaque base of a given cross-sectional contour,

said upper wall member comprising a transparent sleeve of a self-supporting, flexible plastic sheet material telescopically overlying an upper annular edge portion of said opaque base and having a contour corresponding to the contour of said base;

a platform-like floor adapted for folding and secured in and supported by said lower wall member to define a support base for articles stored in said container for display,

said floor being connected to said lower wall member at annularly spaced positions and disposed to urge walls of said container radially outwardly to maintain said container in its said given contour, and adapted to fold to assume a substantially vertical position to facilitate collapse of said container .radially; and

means connecting said upper wall member to said lower wall member.

7. A open-top bin for storing and displaying articles and collapsible along lengthwise fold lines, said bin comprising:

a substantially cylindrical corrugated paper board base;

a raised floor supported within said cylindrical base to define a platform thereacross in a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical base, said floor having a peripheral edge contiguous with vertical walls defining said base and urging said walls radially outwardly;

a transparent cylindrical sleeve coaxial with said base and extending therearound at an upper edge portion thereof and upwardly therefrom in continuous peripheral engagement,

said sleeve being composed of self supporting, flexible plastic sheet material; and

joinder means fastening said sleeve to said base.

8. A collapsible display container comprising: coaxial, overlapping upper and lower vertically extending circumambient wall members of corresponding transverse sectional contour and each collapsible along lengthwise bend lines,

said upper wall member comprising a transparent sleeve of a self-supporting, flexible plastic sheet material having a circumambient lower end snugly overlying, contacting and joined to an upper end edge of an opaque said lower member; and

a transverse floor disposed within and having means fixedly connected to said lower wall member at annularly spaced positions normally to resist radial collapse of said lower wall member and enable the thus stabilized lower member to resist collapse of the upper member, said floor having a transverse bend line enabling manually assisted folding thereof to a substantially vertical position to facilitate collapse of said lower and upper members along lengthwise bend lines.

9. A collapsible display container comprising: coaxial, overlapping upper and lower vertically extending circum- 7 ambient wall members of corresponding transverse sectional contour and each collapsible along lengthwise bend lines,

said upper wall member comprising a transparent sleeve of self-supporting, flexible plastic sheet material having a circumambient lower end snugly overlying and fastened to an upper end edge of an opaque said lower member;

a base adapted to stand within said container; and

a floor of said base for supporting articles thereon and within said container, said floor having a contour corresponding generally to the cross sectional configuration of said container and in the substantial abutment thereagainst to retain said Wall members against inward radial collapse.

10. A collapsible display container comprising: coaxial,

overlapping upper and lower vertically extending circum' ambient wall members defining walls of corresponding transverse sectional contour and each collapsible along lengthwise bend lines,

said upper Wall member comprising a transparent sleeve of self-supporting, flexible plastic sheet material having a circumambient lower end snugly overlying and fastened to an upper end edge of an opaque said lower member; a floor spanning and supported within said walls and adapted to support articles within said container,

said floor having a peripheral contour corresponding generally to the cross sectional configuration of said A container and extending transversely of said Walls of said container and in substantial abutment thereagainst to retain said walls against inward radial collapse.

11. In a display container collapsible along lengthwise fold lines and including a; generally upwardly extending wall and an article supporting floor disposed therewithin and having a peripheral contour corresponding generally to the cross-sectional configuration of said container,

the improvement wherein said wall comprises, in combination, a lower opaque portion of paperboard and the like, an upper transparent self-supporting plastic 8 portion extending upwardly of said lower portion, and fastening means connecting said upper and said lower portions of said wall to provide a unitary Wall structure.

12. A clear-view display containercollapsible along lengthwise fold lines and comprising a generally upwardly extending peripheral wall and an article supporting floor within said peripheral Wall,

said peripheral wall comprising an opaque base of paperboard and the like, a transparent sleeve-like wall portion of self-supporting sheet material generally coaxial with and extending upwardly of said base, and fastening means joining said base to said wall portion to provide a unitary collapsible stn1c ture. 7

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,846,748 2/ 1932 Palmer. 2,080,105 5/1937 Bacon 20644 2,094,387 9/1937 Vosburgh 206-44 2,189,955 2/ 1940 Hokerk 206-4534 2,283,406 5/1942 Bacon 248-174 2,290,144 7/1942 Katz 206-44 2,335,016 11/1943 Lorenzen 2l56 X 2,566,453 9/ 1951 Ketay. 7 2,602,541 7/1952 Otten 20644.l1 2,945,583 7/1960 Sire 206--45.34

FOREIGN PATENTS 505,144 12/1951 Belgium.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TRANSVERSELY COLLAPSIBLE CYLINDRICAL BIN HAVING AN UPSTANDING LOWER TUBULAR OPAQUE BASE PORTION AND AN UPPER SELF-SUPPORTING TRANSPARENT PLASTIC SLEEVE EXTENDING UPWARDLY OF SAID BASE AND THEREAROUND AND JOINED TO SAID BASE TO DEFINE A UNITARY STRUCTURE, A FOLDING BIN-REINFORCEMENT AND FRAME AND FLOOR ASSEMBLY DISPOSED INTERNALLY OF SAID BASE PORTION OF SAID BIN, SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A ONE-PIECE SHEET SUBSTANTIALLY BILATERALLY SYMMETRICAL ABOUT A VERTICAL FOLD LINE SEPARATING TWO ELONGATED OBLATE OVAL HALVES OF SAID SHEET JOINED ALONG A PAIR OF STRAIGHT LONGITUDINAL SIDES OF SAID HALVES OF SAID SHEET, EACH HALF OF SAID SHEET BEING DIVIDED BY A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL FOLD LINES TO DEFINE UPPER AND LOWER PIVOTAL SEMI-CIRCULAR END PANELS AND AN INTEGRALLY JOINED SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR PANEL EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, SAID ONE-PIECE SHEET ADAPTED FOR FOLDING ALONG SAID VERTICAL FOLD LINE TO SUPERIMPOSE AND REGISTER SAID RECTANGULAR PANELS UPON ONE ANOTHER TO FORM A VERTICAL DOUBLE WALL EXTENDING ACROSS A DIAMETER OF SAID CYLINDRICAL BIN, SAID UPPER AND LOWER SEMI-CIRCULAR END PANELS ADAPTED TO FOLD ALONG SAID UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL FOLD LINES OF EXTEND OUTWARDLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID DOUBLE WALL IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PLANES, A PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING TABS INTEGRALLY JOINED TO EACH SAID END PANELS AT OPPOSED UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES THEREOF AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID TABS ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO ADJACENT INNER WALL SURFACES OF SAID BASE PORTION OF SAID CYLINDRICAL BIN TO SUPPORT SAID BIN REINFORCEMENT FRAME AND FLOOR ASSEMBLY WITHIN SAID CYLINDRICAL BIN. 